Febuary Post to the Delight of Most

While my co-writers practice "real" journalism alas left to my own rythm, the cut n' paste incision of mid-term grades and bad weather in Savannah shades. Winter headlines find Villa breaking into the top five seeds whilst Arsenal holds league lead, despite sacking Big Sam Newcastle is in trouble again as Keegan's renewal can't stop the skid. In fact many managerial faces have changed, awash in the hard rain of expectations involving strategy, glory and g-d. Tottenham appointed Ramos and Chelsea shoved Jose aside, Fulham sacked Sanchez, Bruce got the blues and left City for Wigan while Ally took his place and Paul Jol is now in charge of Derby with egg on his face. Sunderland fights relegation having topped Wigan as Derby fans recite incantations amid PR relations at their club's 9 point BPL funeral. Man City steals points from United at derby spun as Munich tribute 50 years ago to the day, Sven adds gems in the transfer window as clubs shuffle their cards, money-bags Liverpool deny lowly Luton gate fair during FA Cup draw as civil war rages around Rafa.

England's manager Capello stands stern at helm of first win against the Swiss, new faces playing in new places before a tense Wembley crowd. Controversy collides with 70-plus-thousand fans down in Texas land, a night that saw Altidore start and score beautifully was marred as Clint Dempsey's goal, the game-winning third was pulled back for offsides. Honestly, get me a crew from Germany, Australia, Switzerland, or any nation neutral to the USA v Mexico game, someone not possibly corrupted by money, pressure or outright bias!

As a side note I watched that game on Telemundo because the announcers are that much better despite the extreme language barrier. So get wise US journalists, send your camera crews to England so they can learn how to shoot the beautiful game. Trust me on this one, not every sport needs a sky cam. Why ask the impossible of titanic telecasting corporations? Simple, because the arrival of Figo and Zidane are eminent when considering that the same entertainment group that owns the LA Galaxy recently bought Luis Figo's contract. Now will these players alone change MLS for the better, probably not. What MLS needs is an overhaul of US sports ideas; strip down the regional division system for a league table for the love of g-d! New blood could come into the league if USL became the eqivalent of lower league football in England, but this won't happen because of the profit and incentive driven business of owning exclusive rights among other scruples. And another thing, shift the league's schedule to match the rest of the world, this bullshit is really fucking up our national team. Enough MLS venting, back to rhymed ranting. Catch Saturday's FA Cup draw, United v Arsenal, the only game by far, worth watching. With ECC knock-out stages to come next week I can only hope that crowd violence doesn't rear its ugly, unwanted head. Until then, peace.

This is a test

This is a test of our blogging capabilities

Joyeaux Noel

just like Ligue A and La Liga, we're out.
Happy Holidays and a Merry New Year.














just get the sink picture out of here

The "everything but the kitchen sink" post

Okay, I lied, this post has everything including the kitchen sink. This post will cover a lot, so bear with me.

A. Champs League reaction: So i went 4-12 on matchdays 11 and 12 to bring my overall total for the group stage to 53-43 and a 55% accuracy rating. Now, being able to predict 96 matches with a 55% accuracy rating isn't bad, but it isn't really good either. Mark my words though, it will improve in the knockout rounds. Of the 16 teams left in the Champions League, Lille is the only team that can't win. Based on form in the group stage, I would say that Lyon is the favorite, with ManYoo, Bayern, Inter, Barca, and Real Madrid possible winners.

B. FREDDY ADU HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED...to real salt lake. He will start every game he is available there, but the team sucks. This is a bad move for Freddy, but there is nothing he can do about it because his contract is owned by the MLS. If Manchester United do rescue him, good for him; but all inklings from the British press are that Sir Alex just didn't see enough from him to splash the cash that would be required to buy MLS's golden boy.

C. No more Alan Pardew- Okay, so I was wrong about West Ham. Look for Sven Goran-Erikkson or Alan Curbishley to take the reigns. Now that they are completely out of the top 4 picture, I am giving you my new top 4 prediction. Unfortunately, it seems that it is probably going to be the usual suspects:
1. Manchester United- THE CHAMPS
2. Chelsea
3. Liverpool
4. Arsenal

D. The Fifa World Club Championships are upon us, and it doesn't seem to have a lot of luster, maybe because Max Bretos is the commentator, but I digress. However, there could be surprises. Liverpool was supposed to win easily last year, but fell to Sao Paulo in the final. I don't see that happening to Barcelona. They should win it in a walk. So give me Internacional (Brazil) vs Barcelona in the final. Barcelona will win, but don't sleep on the Brazilians.

Goodnight Sweet Prince

West Ham axe skipper Alan Pardew, claiming to have a replacement set up in time for the January transfer window. Where are all my contributors who had West Ham finishing in the top four? Gone but not forgotten.

US Soccer: Explain Yourself

Somebody needs to tell me why we failed to sign the best free-agent coach on the market, Mr. Klinsmann. Sunil Gulati, President of U.S. Soccer, has somehow let out guy go without the slightest inclination why. I am deeply disturbed by this development as I was sure Klinsmann would be a Yank and thus our team would be on the track to respectability....this is obviously not the case. It's now the second week of December and we still don't have a coach. This is not a good sign if you're a fan (or worse, a believer) in US Soccer.

Here's the deal:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=394971&cc=5901

Stone Cold Lead Pipe Locks for Matchday 12

The last day of group play is upon us. Here are your predictions:





Madrid over Kiev in a cakewalk
Lyon over Steaua
Celtic over Copenhagen to win the group
Milan beat Lille
AEK over Anderlecht at the Constant Vanden Stock
CSKA Moscow defeat Hamburg to set up...
UPSET ALERT-Porto over Arsenal, knocking them out of the Champions League
and in the match of the day... MANCHESTER UNITED break Benfica's spirits by getting out of the gates quickly and winning the match handily.

Show up or get shown up

It's win or go home time in Europe's top football competition, so let us cut to the chase and get to the sure-fire analysis.

I like PSV in a big way over Bordeaux. This is probably my lock of the day.

Liverpool only need a tie to secure top place in thier group, but they get the win instead, beating Galatasaray 1-nil.

Spartak Moscow is dreadful away from their synthetic frozen pitch back home, and they get it handed to them at Sporting Lisbon.

Valencia at Roma will be a good contest, but Roma need the win to secure the knockout round and Valencia's already through...got to give the nod to the more desperate club here, Roma 2-1.

Shakhtar Donetsk at Olympiakos is my rubber-bullet special of the day. I think they're actually handing out comlimentary body armour and gas masks for the first 5000 supporters. Olympiakos has nothing really to play for whereas Shakhtar has a chance of survival with a win and a Roma loss, but they don't get te result here. Shakhtar and Olypiakos play out to draw, and after the game supporters from both sides will get shanked in the achilles and likely assaulted with tear gas in the streets of Athens.

Internazionale at Bayern will be the match of the day, regardless of what people are saying at the Nou Camp. Both of these squads have been playing their best football of the season and now meet to decide who wins group B. As much as both of these teams want a result, I don't see it happening. Draw along the lines of Lyon at Madrid last matchday...something wild like 2-2.

Chelsea will probably not field a first-team squad but still name the score against a dreadful Levski Sofia squad. Chelsea wins 3-nil.

Finally we come to Barca hosting Werder Bremen, the ESPN2 featured match of the day. I've like Barcelona to win this competition from the outset but they really haven't impressed during the group stage. If they do manage to pull off this win, it's going to be an absolute battle for 90 minutes. From what I've seen of this squad, and given there's no Messi and Eto'o, I can't feel good about Barca's chances. Yet somehow I can't stay away. Give me Barca 2-1 over Werder, which I'll acknowledge up front is a decision made with my heart and not my head. I do, however, feel good about this game going over the 2.5 goal mark. That 2-1 scoreline is going to win this match for someone, I'm just hoping it's the boys in blue.

Enjoy the matches and come back tomorrow for more knowledge.

Stone Cold Lead Pipe Locks for Match Day 11

Here are Match day 11's picks
Inter Milan over Bayern Munich in Bavaria
Sporting Lisbon tie Spartak Moscow
Liverpool over Galatasaray with a strong performance from Dudek in goal
PSV over Bordeaux (Mendez, you are making me look bad. Score already)
Olympiakos over Shakhtar
Roma beat Valencia at home
Chelsea destroy Levski at the Bridge. Poor, poor Levski. However, Lampard doesn't get any goals because he couldn't hit a barn door with a machine gun.
and, in the match of the day:
Barcelona over Werder Bremen in a barnburner at the Nou Camp. Werder Bremen go on to win the UEFA Cup

HENRIK LARSSON TO JOIN MAN UTD IN JANUARY!

Chelsea have just been guaranteed second place or worse, because the man who singlehandedly won Barcelona the Champions League last year is joining Man United on loan. This is the perfect move for Manchester United and it gives Larsson, 35, one last gasp at greatness. This will not only propel United to win the league, but it also gives them a proven Champions League threat and makes them a top contender (if they can qualify out of the Group Stage). Larsson can play as an all out striker or on either wing. If United go into January with the lead in the league, then the second half should be a cakewalk with a proven commodity like Larsson in your ranks. I could not be happier with this move. You can read more about this from our esteemed colleagues at ESPN Soccernet.

Champs League Reaction Match Days 9 & 10

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO RELIVE HISTORY
My predictions took a Zidane headbutt to the chest on match days 9 & 10. I went 7-9 to headbutt my total to 49-31 and my accuracy rating down from 66% to 61%. Still not bad, but these match days were not my best.

Impressive teams: Werder Bremen- I hate to say I told you so but... (see other posts)
Celtic- they wanted it more over Man United
Benfica- can knock United out on the last match day again
Liverpool- Gerrard is on top of his game now... watch out
AEK Athens Pizza Express- I just wanted to show off my nick name for them. Impressive win over Milan. They could win the group over Milan if Milan slip to Lille and AEK beat Anderlecht.
Barca- Did what they had to do. Now they HAVE to beat Bremen

Dissapointments: Hamburg: 0 points from 5 matches... Ouch
Roma- you lost to Shahktar... enough said.
Chelsea- cinderella just put her slipper on at your expense.
MAN UNITED- I've been waiting to vent on this one. You can't lose that game. I know that Nakamura's free kick never should have happened because Jirosik took a dive, but Saha absolutely choked. Not only did he miss the penalty, but he missed a one on one with the keeper because he thought he was offside. Louis, no flag was up. You gotta pay attention to that. Now that Sir Alex has officially appointed C-Ron to take all of the penalties, Saha can now focus on just being the Ruud replacement (or lack thereof).

Stone Cold Lead Pipe Locks for match day 10

I just got back from the Mexican Mecca (El Torero), sorry my picks are late.

Barcelona all over Levski

Bremen and Chelsea draw, which sets up a huge final day showdown between Barca and Bremen

Bayern over spartak

Inter over sporting

Bordeuax and Galatasaray draw

Liverpool and Psv draw

Roma beat Shakhtar

Valencia beat Olympiakos

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SELECTIONS

I overslept so no official selection for the Spartak Moscow hosting Bayern Munchen match, but I will say that it was my 'rubber bullet game of the day', which, as all you longtime readers know, is the one european football match every day that I predict will end up with body armor and mustard gas and, since we're already in Russia, why not a few Molotov Cocktail's for good measure. On with the offical selections:


Chelsea and Werder Bremen play out a nil-nil draw. Chelsea have got their sights set on this Saturday's clash with top-of-the-table ManU and I think could care less about this match having already assured themselves the round of 16.

Barcelona puts on a clinic in an absolute must win at home against Levski Sofia

Inter hosting Sporting is going to be the game of the day. Sporting is a tough tough out, and Inter are going to have their hands full if they want to win this game and have a shot going into the group finale against Bayern. I still like Inter here but I'm starting to lean a lot more towards a draw. I'll make it official with Inter but I'm telling you this is going to be a lot close than the experts predict.

Bordeaux (yawn) gets by Galatasawhogives a shit 1-nil

Liverpool hosting PSV is another one I'm just not real confident about. My official selection will be Liverpool but PSV is playing some top-flight football in the Dutch league, and I know what you're saying: 'great, it's still the Dutch league' and that's a valid point but they're just playing the schedule in front of them and have been dominating teams of late. They beat Ajax in Amsterdam last week to cement their grip as the class of the league, and Liverpool had better bring their a game, and by that I mean Gerrard.

Valencia will sqeeze past Olympiakos, 2-1

Lastly, Roma goes on the road and takes Shakhtar Donetsk out of their misery 1-0. This game is going to be in a tough environment in Ukraine, not too far up the road from Borat, but I think Roma's ULTRAS fans are more than capable of holding their own, judging by the stories I've read about Italy's most notorius football fans.

Which reminds me...over the holiday and you're looking for something good to read? Check out a great book on football and the fascinating culture of hooliganism. Enjoy.

Stone Cold Lead Pipe Locks for Match day 9

Yea Klinnsi, I know. Only 4 more match days left in the group stage of the Champions League. Crunch time is upon us, and here are the predictions of the day. So give me:

Bucuresti over Dynamo in a Ukrainian Darby
Benfica will crush Kopenhagen to try and keep their Champs League hopes alive.
Porto over CSKA
Hamburg and the Arse play a really hard fought game, but Arsenal win at the Emirates.
Lille squeak by Anderlecht
AC Milan over AEK Athens Pizza Express
Lyon and Madrid fight out a draw at the Bernabeu
and finally, Manchester United win a dogfight at Celtic Park.

My record right now is 42-22 or a 66% accuracy rate. Watch it go up after a perfect day today.

18 months from now...

Guys, we have to do everything in our power to land some media credentials for Euro 2008. I know it's next summer, but we have to pool our resources and figure it out. We need to be in Switzerland and Austria for this gig, we just gotta. Think about how sweet that would be, living it up at Europe's biggest football party, having no agenda other than going to games and writing about them...that, my friends, is a dream job.

The day that Man U won the title (NO, NOT THIS WAY)

This little flashback piece is all about the day that Manchester United was handed the title:





The Madejski Stadium was packed to the brim,
Chelsea fans a many, Reading's times ten.
The referee's whistle started the game,
and twenty seconds in, a moment of fame.
With Stephen Hunt bearing down,
Petr Cech went to ground.
And while Hunt got up from that collision,
Cech is suffering double vision.
Was the play dirty, no one knows?
But now the Prem, to Man United it goes.

Now, I am a HUGE Manchester United fan and I HATE Chelski, but I didn't want to see Manchester United win the title in this way. I wanted to see them earn it. The BEST goalkeeper in the world was injured on that day, and without their #1 stopper, there is no way that Chelsea can win the Prem, let alone Europe. As for the game coming up in 9 days time, It is going to be a real barnburner, a real clashing, and a real...THUMPING. Sir Alex Ferguson is going get the team ready for this game like never before. He knows as well as anyone that this is the opportunity to put Chelsea in the rearview mirror. A six point lead over the current Champs would certainly give Sir Alex's boys a major confindence boost for the rest of the season. I like ManYoo to win this game 3-1 with Wayne, Cristiano, Rio, and all the other boys putting up the perfromance of the season, therefore picking up on the biggest drunkfest of the season stemming from Old Trafford all the way to Athens GA... Where the annual "Clean, old fashioned hate" game between UGA and Georgia Tech (American football) will have been decided the day before. (3:30 Eastern U.S. time, 11/25 CBS.) I like the boys in Yellow and Gold to win this game 24-17. And you CAN take both of those lines to Vegas Baby!

International preview

Lots of footy action for a wednesday, as the international friendly's highlight a lineup that also sees a few meaningful EURO Qualifiers as well. The two most meaningful games on the day are Croatia at Israel (EURO Qualifying) and the England at Holland friendly.

In the first match we'll see two of group E's four leaders (England and Macedonia the other two) face off with a lot on the line. Croatia is always a tough out in European play, but Israel is poised to make a run at something they've never done, atleast not in my lifetime, and that's make the finals of a major tournament. I think a draw would suit both clubs just fine, but expect a lot of fallout from this game as the loser would suddenly see themselves go from 1st to 5th place in a tough group E.

In the nightcap, disregard the friendly pretext, cause England are coming out with guns blazing. They feel disespected, and quite frankly, they've earned it. Since McLaren's debut when they hung up 4 on Greece I believe, England have layed eggs. And with qualification for Europe not a given this time around, the Redcoats need to step their game up and net some goals. This will be a road game, England are the underdog according to the bookies, and this game has all the signs of a Holland W or a draw. Are England capable of winning on the road? It should be interesting. All that said, I still like the boys in Orange.

Official picks for tomorrow:
Israel/Croatia draw
Ivory Coast over Sweden
Brazil over Switzerland
Belaris over Estonia
Holland over England
late night:
Chile over Paraguay

stay away from the parlays

MLS cup Review

Okay, I am really drunk right now after going to the Atlanta Hawks game/T.I. concert tonight so you'll have to forgive me if i sound a little crazy tonight.

The MLS cup is tomorrow (I know who cares). But I think we are in for a good game. .Both of these teams (for what little attention I have paid to the MLS this season) have both looked good. The Canadien Dwayne de Rosario for the Dynamo is one of the best players in the MLS, but the New England Revolution are going to win this game. I like my man Clint Dempsey to score and make it known that it should have been him going to Man Utd instead of Freddy Adu. Yes, Clint Dempsey is better than Freddy Adu.

As soon as you meet a guy, you are ready to shine his shoes.

As this has seemed to turn into "Let's team up on Sambo blog", I want to re-iterate some comments.

1. The Freddy Adu thing is complex. I came out and said things against Stephen's post because at the time I said them they were true. The new Sir Alex quotes came out two days after the original story broke. So don't say I wasn't paying attention to what Sir Alex was saying. Because he didn't say anything until two days after the story broke. I was correct two days ago, Stephen is correct now, and that is all we are trying to do here at the blog. And if you think that's drinking haterade, then I will chug it.

2. I have no beef with Freddy Adu. I think Sir Alex is going to be the best thing that has ever happened to him, but he can't try that "beef with the coach" shit he had with Peter Novak or else Fergie will get rid of him faster than a C. Ronaldo run from touchline to touchline.

3. If this seems like a very pro-Freddy blog, it is because Stephen met him. That's why he is defending him so staunchly.

4. How is our domestic league going to get better if all the good players are leaving? I don't agree with keeping them here when there are better leagues overseas, and I have no solution to this problem. Anyone?

5. The whole "brand" thing is overrated. Henry is sponsored by Reebok, and he plays for Arsenal(Nike) and France (adidas).

Now for Liverpool/Arsenal. This is probably going to happen one of two ways. It will either be a nil-nil bore or it will be a blowout. I am going to say that Liverpool is on the better form right now and call it a 3-1 Liverpool thrashing of Arsenal.

You want knowledge? Here it is, eat it.

What? Me Worry? This story is dedicated to our intern, Sambo. Make sure you pay attention to what Sir Alex is quoted as saying. Story courtesy of our boys at Soccernet.com

UNITED WILL SIGN ADU IF TRAINING GOES WELL

Manchester United are keen on signing Freddy Adu if the Ghanaian-born American teenager can prove himself, Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed.

The hotly tipped 17-year-old is due to come to United for a two-week trial and could sign in the January transfer window.

Asked if he was interested in signing the midfielder, Ferguson said: 'I think so, he's only a young lad but we have known of him for a long time.

'We tried to get him here some years ago but he signed for DC United and that stopped the progress of us keeping tabs on him.'

United had previously denied any interest in the American star, who has been a considered a massive prospect ever since Inter Milan offered a six-figures fee for him having watched him in just one junior tournament prior to his 14th birthday.

Chelsea have also been linked with Adu, reportedly turning down a solid offer to sign him on loan in January 2007, with a view to a permanent £5 million transfer deal.

If Adu does enough to persuade Ferguson to offer him a permanent contract, a fee would have to be negotiated with MLS who, as with all US-based players, own Adu's registration.

Adu made his professional debut in Major League Soccer at just 14 years of age, making him the youngest professional athlete in modern US pro sports.

Who ya got?

Liverpool/Arsenal this Sunday--I like the Gunners, but I see this game ending in a draw. Both of these teams need the three points, but who are they kidding. It's early but it ain't that early, the Prem is already a two horse race. Still, this is without a doubt the fixture of the weekend. And Wenger better not try any touchline shoving like last week; Rafa would kick his ass.

STOP THE PRESSES!!!

The dream scenario for Freddy Adu (and, subsequently, the U.S. Soccer Federation) is on the verge of happening. Football media outlets are reporting that Manchester United, at the request of Sir Alex Ferguson, are bringing in the youngster for a two week training period. If all works out, and the Ghanian-born American impresses, then Man U. will negotioate with the MLS to land Freddy during the January transfer window. There are still quite a lot of ifs in this equation, but American saw-ker might finally have just found it's savior. I mean, cmon, Landon Donovan and Taylor Twellman and Brian Ching are all great--in the contexts of the still-diluted talent pool of Major League Soccer. Donovan had a year in Germany and couldnt break through a Bundesliga first team, and while I'm not saying Freddy Adu will be making United's starting 11 anytime soon, it atleast indicates a step up in terms of quality.

Regardless, there's no way Freddy returns to DC United. He and coach Peter Novak outright hate each other, and Freddy has been dreaming of a move to Europe since his days at the IMG academy in Florida. What's really unfortunate about all this is the MLS owns the right for Freddy Adu, just like they do every other MLS player. Therefore they have 100% control over whether or not Freddy hops the pond and plays for Manchester United. Anyone who knows anything about the MLS knows that Freddy is their highest payed player and their biggest cash crop. So what's going to happen when United throw a few million on the table? If the MLS brass know what's good for them, while also considering what's good for the U.S. Soccer Federation, they give Freddy his walking papers and pocket a nice sum of cheese.

For more of this story visit the good lads at soccernet.com

Reaction: Champions League Days 7 and 8

I love football too sweetheart, but that doesn't mean you need to smuggle them under your shirt.

Now to business. Champions League days 7 and 8 were well... pretty crappy. None of the favorites were impressive (except Liverpool and Chelski) Now for my Impressive and Dissapointing teams:

Impressive: Liverpool- Gerrard is finally back on form, so watch out.

PSV Eidenhoven- this team continues to impress and ALWAYS does well in Europe; another dark horse. (speaking of Dark horse, why is James hating? I called Lyon a dark horse after 3 games. A lot can change in 3 games)

Chelsea- I hate to say it, but the EPL Champs are clicking on all cylinders. Drogba is the best striker in the world right now.

Benfica- they got the must have win against Celtic. They are still in with a chance.

Werder Bremen- Easily dispatched Levski. They control their own destiny and if they can somehow beat/draw Chelsea and beat/draw Barca (good luck) they will advance over Barca.

Dissapointments: Manchester United- losing to Kopenhagen... c'mon. And it gets worse because they were just dumped out of the Carling Cup by last place English 2nd division team Southend.

Valencia- I know going to the Ukraine to play is tough, but you are a contender for La Liga, you gotta win that game.

Barcelona- This team is severely weakened without Eto'o. They do not control their own destiny in Europe. Luckily for them, they get Levski next. But if Werder tie Chelsea, then the Barca/Werder clash becomes the most important match in Barca history. If you look back to my first ever post on this blog ["Meet Sambo" post] I said "Werder Bremen are no pushovers." I'm not going to say I told you so, but...

I took a beating on Matchday 7 with a 4 and 4 record, but slightly improved on matchday 8 with a 5 and 3 record. This brings my overall record to 42-22. My accuracy rate fell from 69% to 66%, but I promise it will go up.

Lennon's Prodigious Talent Official

36, 070 attended Sunday's Premiership match betwixt Tottenham and Chelsea. 16 years have the Hotspur faithful waited to beat the Blues at White Hart Lane. M. Dawson received the first booking of the match. He also scored his first goal of the season ten minutes after Claude Makelele netted a spectacle half-volley: steak-dinner. Both of the Prem. clashes watched today were voraciously paced. But the London Darby is later...

Robbie Keane spurred the winner to Aaron Lennon, whispered Chelsea target. The Irishman streaked down the left flank, left Khalid Boulahrouz seated with a marvelous bit of skill, crossing at the touchline. A driven ball taking a fortuitous bounce was collected and finished with composure by Lennon's yellow boots, past Hilario dressed as a crow. "The boy had one chance in the game and finished it perfectly. He missed so many openings last week at Watford, but this time he finishes so well on his left foot and you can't explain how he was so clinical this time. It was a special moment for Aaron," Martin Jol. That was the 52nd. Come the 71st, Steve McClaren among others saw skipper John Terry red carded. Martin Jøl's side claws three points as referee Graham Poll blows. Ironically, Mourinho was seen smiling at this game. He now may face FA hot water claims a Setanta article with an erroneous headline. Tottenham pencil in at 10th.

The spectacle of the day was not Marlon Harewood's yellow carded celebration, however. But the shoving match between Arsene Wenger and Alan Padrew. West Ham manager, Padrew, wears his emotions on his sleeve; chewing a bottom lip in anticipation or tapping his outstretched wristwatch. Apparently the Arsenal boss was upset by Padrew who later said, "It was shame because it was a tense game and we were under lot of pressure. I was celebrating the goal, that was all basically." The Hammers move up to 15th, below Man. City.

Meet Nacho Novo

I introduced the coolest name in the Premiership early in this blog (see: Danny Shittu), but alas, the UEFA Cup has brought a new celebrity into the mix. Allow me to introduce you to the coolest name in the Scottish Prem...Glasgow Rangers' favorite son: Nacho Novo. Don't let the name fool you, either, dude put up a goal today on my boys Maccabi Haifa.

Stone Cold Lead Pipe Locks for Match day 8

I know it seems late, but my car had some trouble. I swear on my Journalistic career that I haven't seen any of the scores to any of the games when I am making these predictions.

Porto over Hamburg
Arsenal takes care of Moscow
Madrid takes out Steaua
Lille and Athens draw
Benfica, at home and fighting for their Champions League lives, beat Celtic
Lyon beat Dynamo
AC Milan beats Champions League punching bag Anderlecht
and Manchester United, with a severely weakened squad, pull it out against Kopenhagen.

It's All Fun & Games 'Till...

Someone's heel tendon is severed or a cheek bone, shit maybe even the entire mandible, crushed by a rubber bullet, in reality. Journalists please realize...fuck it, look who im talking to.

Fifa 07...the best

Actually, I am in my Manager mode year 2017, but I digress
Fifa 07 is without a doubt the best footy simulation ever created, and that is just the regular xbox version. I don't even want to speculate on the version for 360 (fist yourself, Stephen). But there are many things that just make this game better:
1. The free kicks are actually makeable in this game. The amount of loft and spin on the ball are controlled entirely by the user.
2. Ecuador is one of the teams in the "International" category... enough said
3. 95% of the players actually look like themselves (there are still some that don't, still no love for kieran richardson)
4. The manager mode is completely revamped where actual currency is used (you can choose from dollars, euros, or pounds).
You also have a Youth Academy to sign players from.
5. The graphics (on XBOX) are the best I have ever seen in a sports game. And I am sure the 360 version is rediculous.
Unfortunately, the Netherlands only featured in the FIFA World Cup 2006 game, they are not featured in Fifa 07, but I can live with that.
So in conclusion, GO OUT AND BUY THIS GAME!!!!!!!!

Beware Beware

I'm not a big beleiver in Halloween unless it involves a Costco-sized batch of toilet paper and raw eggs, so let's just get on with it. I'm looking at keeping pace with my fellow peers (and critics) this week as we like the home teams to perform well today.

In the early game, I like Inter to roll over Spartak on the synthetic pitch in Moscow. That's assuming that Inter decides to show up and be, well, Inter.

Bayern wins easily at home against Sporting, chalk up a clean sheat for King Kahn.

Liverpool will edge past Bordeaux but this will be closer than the experts think. I like Dirk Kuyt to grab the winner 10 minutes from time. That dude looks like a ghoul, anyway. Get a haircut, Dirk, you're no Lionel Messi.

PSV cruises past Galatasaray, then heads to the Dampkring afterwards to hang out. This has the potential to be a shootout considering what PSV have done in the Eredivisie over the last two weeks. (They hung 7 on some club)

Roma should beat Olympiakos, unless this game gets called because of the abnormally large number of flares that the local Italians love to light up and throw at each other.

Valencia, despite missing half of their first team due to injury, should win on the road against Shakhtar. Then again, Turkey ain't exactly a trip down the road for these Spaniards. I like a tie.

And in the battle of ugliest uniforms in Europe, Werder Bremen finds a way to beat Levski Sofia in my yawner match of the day. No way there's more than 1 goal in this game.

Finally, in what is undoubtedly the dumbest programming move by ESPN brass to not televise a game, we have Chelsea at Barcelona. I think the Nou Camp plays a big role in this one, with the Catalans much more comfortable at home on their heavenly green pitch. Don't be shocked to see the 'return' of Ronaldinho become official. He tallied the brace last time he put on the Barcelona jersey over the weekend, but this match will leave no doubt. And our boy Messi will seal the deal late in the game. Barcelona 3 Chelsea 1.

Bone Cold Dead Pipe Locks for Matchday Halloween

OOOOOOOO Spooky, but that is a dank ass footy pumpkin. Can anyone tell me why the ESPN 2 game today is Bayern vs Sporting? The Chelsea/BARCA clash is on ESPN Deportes or PPV broadband, but not on the Dos? This is very upsetting
Alas, the picks must go on
Inter, fresh off of a HUGE win over Milan in the derby, destroys Spartak Moscow. Materazzi dresses like Zidane for Halloween.
Valencia comfortably wins over Shakhtar. Shanks a plenty in this one.
Roma, at home, beats Olympiakos. Pandora's box is opened after the match by a mad Olympiakos fan, and the world ends.
PSV Eidenhoven beats Galatasaray. I keep saying it, but watch out for Edison Mendez.
Liverpool crush Bordeaux at Anfield, and Crouch not only does the robot after scoring, he plays in a robot costume.
Bayern Munich handles Sporting Lisbon, Schweinsteiger and Podolski score dressed as vampires.
Werder Bremen dispatches of Levski Sofia with an inspired performance by Diego, who just got his 1st Brazil call up.
and Finally...BARCA beat Chelsea at the Nou Camp. The ghosts of all the great Barcelona legends (Maradonna, Cruyff, Overmars, Rivaldo, Figo, Riquelme, Schuster, Davids, Romario, etc. I know that all of these players are still alive, but they are ghosts of Barca) arise from the Barca folklore and haunt Jose Mourinho. After the match, Mourinho comes up with another excuse for why Barcelona cheated. Ronaldinho comes back from the death of his form and turns from Gandalf the Grey to the Great White Wizard.
My 69% accuracy rate is on the rise, and after this week, can only get better. As for the FIFA 07 game review, its coming, just be patient my squire. While you wait Stephen, you could go get me a cup of coffee, four creams and four sugars. Thanks man.

WTF

It's Christmas eve (15 hrs before Barca/Chelsea part deux) and I'm still waiting for Sambo's official FIFA07 game review. Don't tell me you haven't been playing it, either. Being the intrepid reporter that you are, my guess is you're playing it so much you haven't had the time to take care of business, but that time is now boy. Step away from manager mode year 2016 and let the XBOX 360 faithful hear what you have to say. We are an anxious and potentially hostile group having to wait an extra 8 weeks for our 360 version to be released. I want feedback, homie.

Coming with daybreak...Champions League matchday 18 picks. In case I don't post it early enough for Moscow time, I like Inter in a big way.

The Oldest Scorer in Town

After much remorse East London exudes relief. West Ham United snapped their worst run since 1932. Losses in all competitions (5 Prem, 2 UEFA, 1 Carling Cup) stacked to eight consecutive. Equating in eight hours and ten minutes of Premiership play without a goal. Make that 590 minutes of match play. Upton Park's atmosphere could only be described as fanatical. Supporters packed the stands hoping to see their lads brave a win and answering the call of under-fire manager Alan Padrew. The Blackburn Rovers attempted to exploit their confidence, best deemed fragile.

Today's match featured a fine tuned Hammers line-up. On both sides of the spectrum Pardew's starting eleven showcased G. McCartney in his premier and Teddy Sheringham attacking. As the old saying goes, matches aren't played on paper...West Ham's worst home defeat came at the hands of Blackburn 8-2 in 1963. I don't know what exactly Pardew said to his boys or what happened on the training grounds leading up to the big home match. But I do know that the mindset of West Ham's players was markedly different.

Inside the first half-hour of play Bobby Zamora headed a long ball down to Yossi Benayoun at the edge of the area. The Hope delivered the patented 'spoon pass' to Teddy Sheringham's head. The 40 year old became the oldest player in the history of the EPL to score a goal after he finished beautifully past Brad Friedel, slotting top drawer. Joy read over the expressions of teammates surrounding the Englishman in celebration. Come the 79th minute Hayden Mullins netted his first goal evoking a fist pump from Alan Padrew as the stadium exploded behind him. Solid work as a cohesive unit sealed the score line, with saves from R. Green, at 2-1. Bently scored for Blackburn in injury time while the majority of 33,833 spectator's chants rained down in sheets.

Personally, Sheringham ended a scoreless run of seven months. But the gravity of his goal may have yet sunk in the rolodex of the casual footy follower. West Ham have moved to 16th place, now clear of the bottom three. Essentially, this Sunday won't fade for some time in the memory of the faithful; who disregarded the history books to make their own.

Reaction: Champions League Days 5 and 6

After matchdays 5 and 6, I am left with a glass half full/half empty feeling. If his sloppy form continues, Ronaldinho will relinquish his status as the best player in the world (and give it to Cristiano Ronaldo, who is on blazing hot form nowadays).

Impressive: Manchester United- they are looking great so far and Scholes had a cracker of a goal yesterday.
Chelsea- Drogba scored an absolutely brilliant goal against Barca, and the current Prem champs looked strong
Liverpool- tough win without Gerrard over Bordeaux
Inter- Back on track, but need to prove something against big opponents
Bayern- Full points, looked good so far
Lyon- My dark horse to win it all, Juninho, Kaka, or C. Ronaldo should win the FIFA and UEFA Player of the Year awards

Dissapointments: Barca- IN DEEP TROUBLE WITHOUT ETO'O. The commentators said it all match, and they were right
Shevchenko- LOOKS TERRIBLE
Rooney- getting better, but still well short of best form

Stephen and I both went 6 and 2 on matchday 6 and that brings my tally to 33 correct and 15 incorrect, to bring me up to 69% accuracy rate. If you want stephens full numbers, ask him because he skipped a day (amateur!) We here at the blog will continue to give you the most up to date champs league reaction. Thanks for reading.

Stone Cold Lead Pipe Locks for Match day 6

On Matchday 5 I went 6-2 to bring the overall tally to 27 correct and 13 incorrect and a 2% accuracy increase, so on Matchday 6 I'll take:

Inter over Spartak
Bayern over Lisbon
Liverpool struggle without Stevie G, but still beat Bordeaux
PSV beats Galatasa-whatever, look out for Edison Mendez
Roma draw with Olympiakos
Werder over Levski
Valencia over Shakhtar
and I already gave it to you early, but Barcelona over Chelski

And if I am the intern, then stephen is the mail clerk

Anatomy of my Punt

Champions League Picks--Matchday 6

Get used to this look, you'll be seeing it in a few hours after Chelsea get it handed to them and their manager still tells the press he's got the better team. Just unlucky, right Jose? We're done buying it.

Not one of my better days yesterday, but I'm back and better than ever. I'll leave it up to my intern Sambo to give us the updated count, all I know is that I'm behind. So without further adieu, I give you Stephen's Sensual Selections matchday 6:

Inter Milan beats Spartak Moscow in an absolute must win for Internazionale

Bayern goes on the road and beats Sporting Lisbon, Podolski with the late winner

Liverpool and Bordeaux draw nil-nil in typical Liverpool fashion

PSV gets the upset in a tough road environment at Galatasaray

Roma crosses the Aegean and gets the win at Olympiakos

Valencia all over Shakhtar Donetsk early and often, easy win for the boys in the Toyota jerseys

Werder Bremen has yet to put up a goal in the group stages, and I see that trend continue, however the Germans pick up an own goal late and win over Levski Sofia. This is my rubber bullet special of the day. First 20,000 fans get complimentary riot gear.

Finally, in the granddaddy of 'em all, Barcelona looks top class against a Chelsea unit without their top two keepers. The headline writers in England are going to have a field day when third string Chelsea keeper Hilario gives up three goals in the first hour, as I see Chelsea playing from behind most of this match. Final score line, as I've been saying for a good week now, Barca 3, Blues 1. Goal tallies by Ronaldinho, Messi, and Gudjohnson. Sheva for Chelsea, trying to make a game of it to no avail.

A Collective pledge!!

On the last two posts on this footy blog, there have been unnaceptable Journalistic errors by myself and Mr Stephen Hartzell. I predicted a match on the wrong day, and Stephen said that Barcelona plays at the San Siro. We have gotten a little bit sloppy, but that will change. I hereby swear to check all of my stories for errors and try to get them as perfect as possible before posting them. Sam Franco

(other bloggers can comment on this post to add their signatures)

(I am sitting in Journalism class right now learning about style errors and false facts so that is probably why I went on this rant)

Stephen's Sensual Selections

Another exciting Tuesday installment of Champions League football coming at us, and we look for the away teams to show up in a big way and deliver on the road. My flaming arrow picks through the heart and soul of man are as follows:

Lyon wins at Dynamo, our man Fred scores yet again

Real Madrid wins at Steau Whogivesashit, Spaniards beware of molotov cocktails and blatant racism

Celtic and Befica play to a draw in what could be one of the more exciting, even-tempo'd pairings of the week

Arsenal pitches a shutout on the road in a classic 1-nil or 2-nil road win in Moscow. Atleast one Arsenal supporter gets a rubber bullet to the abdomen in a postgame fracas with CSKA Ultras.

Porto beats Hamburg in a yawner (as is the case with most German squads outside of Munich aka Podolski Incorporated)

AC Milan continues to play well in Europe, wins easily at Anderlicht

AEK Athens brings tzatziki sauce and rolls up the Frenchies in pita and eats them, winning comfortably at Lille

finally Manchester United brings the ruckus at home versus Copenhagen. Rooney gets the brace, Ronaldo takes off his shirt, Van der Sar saves a penalty, and the Old Trafford faithful see their boys hang up the five spot before it's all said and done.

Simply cannot wait until tomorrow, Chelsea/Barca is actually going to trump the World Cup final, it's going to be that good. And then later for the return leg at the Nou Camp....football fans around the world have got to be thrilled at the prospect of this (as they have the last two years, in addition), but now with Sheva on the Blues, a year-older Messi starting for Barca, those new Adidas blue homes versus the amazing new Nike Orange aways! The scene is set for an absolute cracker in Stamford Bridge. Barcelona 3 Chelsea 1, mark it dude.

Stone Cold Lead Pipe Locks for Match day 5

The Jolly Green Giant: Always a sure bet between the sticks.

On matchday 4, I went 5 and 3 to bring my grand total for predictions to 21 correct predtictions and 11 incorrect predictions. That's a 66% accurate prediction rate which is pretty good, and will go up after my predictions for matchday 5:

Barcelona wins a close one over Chelski
Lyon handles Dynamo Kiev
Real Madrid take care of business against Steaua Bucharesti (yes, that is the correct spelling)
Benfica and Celtic fight out a draw @ Celtic Park
Arsenal win in a tough road environment at CSKA Moscow
Porto over Hamburg
AC Milan over Anderlecht
Lille over AEK Athens...
and finally MAN UNITED stomp Copenhagen (sorry James, this isn't one of your created FIFA fantasy teams)

Big Sam to the Chelsea (boo) Rescue

Big Sam Allardyce is not a man to be messed with. And word on the street is this mug gonna lend Chelsea a goalkeeper for their Champions League showdown with Barcelona at the midweek. What does this to mean, you ask? Well for starters, take all of your money to the window and take Barca to walk all over the Blues, then go cut out today's EPL standings and put it on your fridge. Weeks from now, when Morinho and Co. are middle of the table, you can have the last remaining relic of what will cease to be a Chelsea-dominated domestic market.

Petr Czech almost DIED over the weekend. His brain was so swolen they had to crack his skull to let it breathe or else it was going to EXPLODE. And Cudicini got knocked out cold in the same game--instant blackout inside the six yard box. So what are your options when your top two goalkeepers are in hospital beds with head trauma? Call up your boy Big Sam and have him give you a 4th string reserve just in time for your biggest international of the year. And I say this because at this rate no way in hell Chelsea get to Europe's round of 16. Pastiness aside, Petr Czech is a worldclass keeper, probably top three or four, and without him Mourinho's defense ain't nearly as daunting.

You heard it here first: Chelsea 1 Barcelona 3 Champions League Prediction for the midweek.

Read this article

Do yourself a favor and stay an informed, educated football fan. Read this article from our fine folks at the British Broadcasting Corporation: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/6047656.stm

After a long layoff, MY MOST IMPORTANT POST EVER!

This is, without a doubt, the most queer looking thing I have ever seen in my life. It looks like there should be a caption that reads, "Yah, Yah, shower us wit za love juice, Yah!" I mean come on, their names are "Trix" and "Flix." The fudgepackers union are clearly behind this. This is why Footy can't be popular in America yet, because we here in America want "real man" sports. Take the Miller Lite Man-law ads. Enough said. If footy would just "Man-up" when it presents itself to America, then maybe it could become popular here.

FUTURE HOME OF SAMBO'S OFFICIAL FIFA07 GAME REVIEW

Do your homework

In light of some ignorant comments made by outsiders, I have decided to assign the above text as a homework for any and all footy fans who are hungry for knowledge. Here it is, eat it. Quite simply, this is the finest piece of literature ever written on the beautiful game, and don't even try and come at with me with Nick Hornby's Fever Pitch, Americans, because I've read it and does little for me. Eduardo Galeano is (a) South American, and therefore (b) has a genetic disposition that enables him to not only identify quality football but then, as a man of age and wisdom, place it in the contexts of history and sociology. If I ever become a teacher of the language arts, this will undoubtedly be a required text for my course.

INTEROUBLE

Inter Milan is about to become the favorites to win the UEFA cup--but even that is up in the air because in order to qualify you have to finish 3rd in your Champions League group, and Inter currently sit in the cellar with no points. This is a team of all-world talent, yet all they have to show for two games is three red cards and no goals. What the hell is going on here? You can bet the pink pages of Italy's Gazzetto dello Sport are filled with the same wtf attitudes of this writer. In a word, unnacceptable. And after crosstown AC Milan's discouraging tie with lowly Lille, it makes you question the state of Italian footy even more.

Zidane, un Portrait du 21e Siècle

Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait is the 2006 product of directors Douglas Gordon and Philippe Parreno. Released in Spain and France, well Europe for that matter. Consisting of a 90+ minute games between Real Madrid and Villereal. 27 cameras focus on Zidane in a mix between sport and art documentary. This remake of Costard's 1971 "Football as Never Before" with Zissu taking place of George Best is seen as pale by some critics, but as with art films; the only way you know its good is if everyone hates it. Check out the trailer for yourself http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0478337/trailers

Champs League: Reaction Day 3 and Predictions Day 4

Man, is this guy ever not smiling?
After Match Day 3, the prediction tally is:
Sam 16 wins 8 losses
Stephen 12 wins 12 losses (Step yo game up son)
Hopefully stephen will post his day 4 predictions, but I digress:
Day Three was a good day overall. Man U played a very sloppy first half, but finished strong. Real Madrid was very impressive and had to shake off the dust after their loss to Lyon. AC Milan not being able to beat Lille is the shock result of the Champs League so far, and doesn't help in what will be a dogfight of a season for them. Arsenal, despite their always patchy form in the Prem, continue to look great in Europe. I sink Arsene Wenger is ze best manager at preparing players for ze style oof play in european competition and ze champions ligue (its hard to type in Wenger's accent). Now all joking aside, here is day 4 predicts:
Barca all over Werder (Ronaldo de Assis Moreira comes to play, and scores)
Chelski all over Levski
Inter beats Bayern in a close one (Podolski still has yet to score in a competitive game for Bayern)
Sporting Lisbon over the other Moscow
PSV over Bordeaux (Edison Mendez scores, viva la tricolor)
the Liverpudlians over Galatasaray (Liverpool is on hot form, two wins in a row in the prem)
Shakhtar and Olympiakos in a hard fought draw, with plenty of shanking and at least 20 hospitalizations
and Finally, Valencia beats Roma

Okay Steee, lets see if you can catch me

Hmm...Match Day 3

No picture today, straight business.

Okay, here we go for predictions: day 3
Manchester United makes my day and lifts me from the depression I have from the terrible Monday Night Falcons debacle
Man U 3 Benfica 1 Ronaldo has a chip on his shoulder and will relish playing portuguese competition
Madrid over Kiev
Lyon crushes Steau with goals from Fred, Juninho, and more
Celtic over Copehagen
Arsenal over Porto
Hamburg over CSKA
Athens and Anderlecht draw
AC Milan absolutely manhandles the French side and Poacher Inzaghi scores
Lets keep the good predictions rolling

Champions League Handicapping

Nothing spells Champions League quite like a fat-faced Ronaldo. Mmmmmm.
For all the degenerate gamblers out there who subscribe to ESPN deportes for the sole purpose of watching these matches live, this post is for you.

Tuesday's predictions

ManU redeems itself after last year and puts up a 2-nil win over a Benfica playing without their resident badass Rui Costa

Real Madrid easily over Dynamo Kiev--fatface puts up a goal in his return, Ruud too

Lyon with a late winner over Steaua

Celtic beats Copenhagen (yawn)

Arsenal rides the momentum to a win at home over FC Porto

CSKA and Hamburg tie in a who cares, fans most likely to be hit with tear gas or shanked in the achilles kind of match

AEK Athens over Anderlecht in a battle of two teams with no chance of getting out of the group stage

And lastly, despite their blathering, Lille will get upended by AC Milan. Someone needs to remind these Frenchies that they play in a sub-par Ligue 1 and guess what? Milan could beat you with their second team no questions asked.

I like the Real Madrid and AC Milan matches to go over the 2.5 goal mark, while Steau and Lyon are my lock to finish under.

By the way, am I alone in having a severe distaste/bafflement at the UEFA Champions League anthem that they play before each match? Good god is that awful. You'd think with all their money and sponsors that UEFA would ditch the Enya-themed anthem and just play some footy. I'll be watching tomorrow with my nachos, as always.

Campions Leauge Prediction In One Word

Fred

It's official: Reading is for real

I'm not here to jump on the Reading bandwagon after a home draw with Manchester United, but I am going to go on record now, with a week left in September, and proclaim that the Reading Royals will finish in the top eight of the Prem. Some of you are scoffing, 'top eight, big deal'. Well for a newly promoted side who's never played top-flight footy, finishing in the top half of what is largely considered the toughest league on earth, then hell yes it's a big deal. What I like about this team is that they know how to score. And I don't care what type of playmakers you have on your eleven, if your squad doesn't have the ability to put up goals--especially away from home--then you're on a one way trip to the Championship. As in Coca-Cola Championship. And no, that's not a good thing you damn yankees.

Look at the teams in the bottom third of the Prem: Wigan, Middlesbrough, Watford, Charlton, Sheff. Utd (I'm going to omit Tottenham because they have top class goalscorers), where are the goals going to come from? I'm not going to go on a team-by-team breakdown but all you have to do is look at the rosters. The majority of these teams will not score 40 goals in a season. And if you're that bad at hitting the back of the ol' onion bag (thank you Tommy Smith), then by all means, atleast spend some of your gate receipts and go buy a Brazilian teenager and hope for the best.

Last year Reading netted something ridiculous like 120 goals. And granted, that's against Championship teams, but atleast they know what it's like to score. There's a culture of scoring, if you will. Not to mention they have an underrated and more than serviceable keeper in Marcus Hahnemann (who, with Tim Howard, is our netminder in South Africa 2010, just too early to tell who's backing up who).

Look, everyone needs a darkhorse. Somebody they can pull for not to win the damn thing, but put up a fight week in and week out. My darkhorse at the beginning of year was Reading, and if their first seven games of the campaign are any indication, then it looks like a lot of folks are going to come out of the woodwork in the coming weeks and join me.

Sambo tomorrows monday where's my Champions League preview? I need to redeem myself after last weeks picks.

From Villain to Hero in Thirty Seconds

A Hindu woman with the Tilakam on her forehead, held Krushchev in a gaze of adoration reserved for sons and daughters after he batted down skipper Gilberto Silva's pk. I caught this moment in an instant replay during Sunday's premireship clash...sitting alone at the pine of Molly MacPhearson's pub. The ebb and flow of this match equates in beauty to the racks of scotch and bourbon, upside down in their amber glow. Old Trafford was teeming with 75,500 spectators when Arsenal snatched victory and a full three points from the jaws of defeat. Although the gunner's possesion statistics may appear comfortable, manager Arsene Wenger didn't act the part. That is until Togo's star striker, Emmanuel Adebayor slotted a goal underneath the charging keeper. Usually stoic, Wenger was first to leave his seat in celebration whilst his young talent pointed to the heavens in gratitude. Defensive flaws point toward a lack of concentration on be-half of Man U. Furthermore, despite Darren Fletcher finding his man-strength the once heralded mid-field has yet to come fully into form. Just like Wayne Rooney. Some point to an overreliance on 'super wayne' but the devils just became too comfortable 'round the 70th minute with nothing to show for it. Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann ( makes headlines on brittish tabloids ) faces a police probe after he was accused of kicking a water bottle at Manchester United fans. The German international was accused of booting the bottle into the East Stand during Sunday's Premiership match. Lehmann's primadonna antics are appauling! I've had a ball driven at my face before between the sticks and the match surely didnt stop so i could be attended: RUBBISH.

Memories...'sigh'

I don't know why I put these pictures on this post, probably just wanted to relive one of the happiest days of my life. I was in Hamburg World Cup Stadium watching Ecuador whoop up on Costa Rica. There's a funny story about this game. The Agustin Delgado near post Wundergoal (pictured) was to me one of the best of the Cup (of course behind Maxi Rodriguez, Joe Cole, and Beckham's free kick that drove a dagger through my heart). The only people out of my family [Me, my older brother Phillip, my two younger brothers Tony and Brian, My Grandpa Yayo (pronounced Jah-Joe for those who had there minds where their noses are), and my Dad] that saw the goal live were me and Tony. This actually was the best thing that could have happened to Tony because he could be the next American Wunderkid because of his left foot. When the goal happened, I turned to him and yelled, "THIS IS WHY YOU GOTTA PLAY SOCCER INSTEAD OF BASEBALL IN HIGH SCHOOL." He now has made his decision and is running Cross Country to get ready for footy season. But anyway, the people who didn't see the goal because they were getting food didn't talk to me and Tony for the rest of the day. It was great.
But anyway, the reason I wanted to post today was to give a little preview of this weeks Prem Action. Of Course the two big games are ManYoo v Arsenal and Chelski v the Liverpudlians. I see Man Yoo winning by two due to the fact that Henry and Van Persie are not expected to play. I don't see any way that Liverpool can win this game due to the week that they have had (0-0 v PSV and 0-3 loss to Everton) unless Stevie G rises to the big game hero status of the Champs League Final and the FA Cup final. Scorlines: ManYoo 3 Arsenal 1 and Chelski 2 Liverpool 1